All posts by h79snht.top

Leeds United remain engulfed in a battle for Premier League survival amid what has been a turbulent season for the club thus far, with Sunday's 5-1 defeat to Crystal Palace having only increased the sense of doom and gloom surrounding Elland Road.

The Whites' current predicament may well be leaving the club's hierarchy ruing their decision to cash in on both Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips last summer, with the latter man, in particular, having seemingly been sorely missed at the base of the midfield.

Despite his woes at new club Manchester City – where he has made just six league appearances this season – the England international had previously been a truly influential figure back in Yorkshire, having been hailed as a "magnificent talent" by pundit Frank McAvennie last year.

Supporters may well have been longing for the 27-year-old's return after watching the abject display against the Eagles last time out, with fellow midfielder Marc Roca having been particularly 'dire' on the day, as per Leeds Live's Beren Cross, after being dribbled past on eight occasions.

While there have been murmurings that Leeds could be keen on bringing Phillips back to the club, the relegation strugglers may well already have their next version of the local hero on their hands, in the form of academy starlet, Morten Spencer.

Who is Morten Spencer?

The 19-year-old has been tipped for big things ever since signing from Sunderland back in 2019, with respected source 'The 4th Official' describing the capture as a real "coup" at the time, with the Yorkshire side seemingly beating Man City to the teenager's signature.

Since then, the youngster has shown his class in the academy ranks, notably mirroring Phillips with his ability to feature in midfield as well as at centre-back, having been deployed in both positions so far this season.

The England-born gem – who currently features for Norway's youth sides at international level – has enjoyed a standout campaign to date for Leeds after racking up 15 appearances in all competitions, including three outings in the EFL Trophy earlier in the campaign.

The former Black Cats ace showcased his ball-winning prowess in that latter competition after averaging 1.7 interceptions and one tackle per game, with Phillips also a truly effective screen in front of the back four, as he averaged 1.2 and 2.7 for the same two metrics, respectively, for the Elland Road outfit last season.

The two men also share a likeness due to their ability on the ball, with the current City man having been hailed for having an "array of passing skills" by ex-teammate Barry Douglas, while Spencer was lauded for his "superb" forward passing by Michael Skubala while featuring for Leeds' U21 side against former club Sunderland back in October.

The £140-per-week teen – who "loves a big slide tackle" according to journalist Joe Donnohue – is clearly a player who could be in line for a first-team role sooner rather than later, having only recently penned a new deal at the club until 2024.

The hope will be that Leeds supporters get to see their 'next Phillips' in action at senior level in the near future…

تعرف على تشكيل آرسنال اليوم أمام فولهام في الدوري الإنجليزي

أعلن المدير الفني لفريق آرسنال، ميكل أرتيتا، عن تشكيل اللاعبين الذين سيخوضون مباراة فولهام في الجولة الـ 20 من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتنطلق مباراة آرسنال وفولهام في تمام الساعة الرابعة عصرًا بتوقيت “القاهرة” على ملعب “كرافين كوتدج” في العاصمة “لندن” بقيادة الحكم، جوشوا سميث.

وشهدت تشكيل آرسنال للمباراة تواجد لاعب وسط منتخب مصر الأول، محمد النني، على مقاعد البدلاء.

ويحتل آرسنال المركز الرابع في ترتيب الدوري الإنجليزي قبل المباراة برصيد 40 نقطة، بينما فولهام في المركز الرابع عشر برصيد 21 نقطة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. هنري يوجه رسالة شديد اللهجة لحكام الدوري الإنجليزي بعد خسارة آرسنال

🟢 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🔵

🧱 Kiwior at the back
🔙 Havertz returns from suspension
📞 Nketiah leads the line

Let’s end the year strongly, Gunners 👊 pic.twitter.com/GO6OvALAob — Arsenal (@Arsenal) December 31, 2023

تشكيل آرسنال اليوم أمام فولهام في الدوري الإنجليزي

حراسة المرمى: ديفيد رايا.

الدفاع: جاكوب كيويور، جابريل، ويليام صليبا، بن وايت.

الوسط: مارتن أوديجارد، ديكلان رايس، كاي هافيرتز.

الهجوم: جابريل مارتينيلي، إدوارد نكيتياه، بوكايو ساكا.

Chelsea are "monitoring" the progress of Middlesbrough youngster Finley Cartright ahead of a potential move, according to journalist renowned Fabrizio Romano.

Has Chelsea's recent business worked?

The Blues have spent big in recent transfer windows, bringing in the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez, among various other signings. So far, their expensive business during Todd Boehly's reign hasn't paid off, however, with the west Londoners languishing in 11th place in the Premier League, following their 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton on Saturday afternoon.

It has been a bitterly disappointing season, with both Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter sacked as manager, and only an unlikely Champions League triumph now left to play for, which is a grim position to be in so early in the campaign.

While big-money and big-name signings will always excite supporters, it is also vital that Chelsea plan for the future, too, looking to bring in the top British talent from the academy and lower tiers. It looks as though they are aiming to do just that, following a new update.

Will Chelsea sign Cartright?

Taking to Twitter, Romano claimed that the Blues are interested in acquiring Cartright's signature in the near future, as they continue to track his progress:

"Understand Chelsea are now monitoring Middlesbrough young midfielder Finley Cartwright, talent born in 2006. He’s one of many prospects in the list to improve the academy and bring in new talents."

Cartright certainly looks like an exciting prospect, with the 16-year-old already an England international at Under-16 level, highlighting his prestige in the youth ranks. The midfielder is someone who could blossom at Chelsea's highly thought-of academy, learning from some top coaches and potentially breaking into the first team further down the line.

The likes of Reece James, Mason Mount and Conor Gallagher are proof that young players are given the opportunity at Stamford Bridge if they are good enough, so the Middlesbrough teenager could use the trio as inspiration, should the Blues end up acquiring his signature.

There is also the option of staying at 'Boro, of course, should he feel that more regular chances at first-team minutes is a better pathway for him, but the all-round high standards that would be afforded to him at Cobham means a move south would arguably be better for his growth.

It is refreshing to see Boehly possibly looking at bringing in top youth players as an important part of his reign, ensuring Chelsea build for the future and not just the present.

Paris Saint-Germain are thought to be interested in signing Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes in the summer transfer window, according to a new report.

Just how good is Bruno?

The Brazilian has been a transformative figure since joining the Magpies in January 2022, becoming an instant hero at St James' Park and appearing to raise the level of those around him. His box-to-box quality has been so key since his arrival and he is enjoying a superb 2022/23 season to date.

Bruno has scored three goals and registered four assists across 24 Premier League appearances, with Alan Shearer describing him as "absolutely magnificent" earlier in the campaign. He has been a big reason for Newcastle's strong top-four push and it was no surprise to see their form dip when he was unavailable through suspension in the lead-up to the EFL Cup final defeat to Manchester United.

The Brazilian is contracted to the Magpies until the summer of 2026, but now a worrying exit rumour has emerged, as one of Europe's leading clubs eye up a move for him.

Could Newcastle star depart this summer?

According to iG Esporte [via Sport Witness], PSG are interested in signing Bruno in the summer transfer window, as they look to bolster their midfield options. He has been "evaluated internally" inside the Ligue 1 club, although an offer hasn't been tabled yet.

They are believed to "regret" the decision not to sign the Newcastle ace back when he was at Lyon, considering the impact he has gone on to make at St James' Park. It is noted that the Magpies are "looking to fend off" an interest in Bruno by offering him a new deal, however, so the hope is that he is happy in England and wants to extend his stay.

Losing the 10-cap Brazil international at his point would be a huge blow for Newcastle, at a time when they are on the cusp of returning to the Champions League and potentially embarking on a memorable era at the club. He is so essential to everything they do as a team, whether it is chipping in with end product from midfield or providing great off-the-ball work – he has averaged 2.4 tackles per game in the league this season – so it is essential that they keep hold of him.

The lure of PSG could be great, given their Champions League aspirations and financial power, but even Lionel Messi has struggled to truly excel there at times, so Bruno should see Newcastle as his best option moving forward.

حرص المدير الفني لفريق توتنهام، أنجي بوستيكوجلو، على الدفاع عن قيمة بطولتي كأس آسيا وكأس أمم إفريقيا، مثلما هو الحال مع بطولة كأس أمم أوروبا، يورو.

كان الأمر عندما سُئل أنجي بوستيكوجلو عن أهمية كأس آسيا، والتي ستكلف توتنهام خدمات نجم الفريق سون هيونج مين لبضعة أسابيع.

اقرأ أيضًا.. بوستيكوجلو يعلق على اقتراب رحيل لوريس عن توتنهام إلى الدوري الأمريكي

وتستضيف قطر منافسات كآس آسيا، في الفترة بين 12 يناير وحتى 10 فبراير، في حين تُقام أمم إفريقيا في كوت ديفوار في الفترة بين 13 يناير وحتى 11 فبراير 2024.

وقال أنجي بوستيكوجلو في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ليكيب” الفرنسية: “أنت تعلم أنني فزت بها (كأس آسيا)، أليس كذلك؟!”.

وأضاف: “لذا فإنني أصنفها في مرتبة عالية جدًا، وأعتقد أنها مهمة جدًا، يعتقد الكثير من الأوروبيين أن يورو بطولة مهمة للغاية، وهو نفس الشيء بالنسبة لكأس آسيا أو كأس الأمم الإفريقية”.

وقاد بوستيكوجلو منتخب أستراليا لتحقيق كأس آسيا على حساب كوريا الجنوبية عام 2015.

ويتمنى بوستيكوجلو فوز أستراليا بالبطولة مرة أخرى، حيث قال: “آمل أن ينهي سون في المركز الثاني خلف أستراليا مجددًا، سأكون سعيدًا للغاية”.

توفى أسطورة الكرة البرازيلية، ماريو زجالو، عن عمر ناهز 92 عامًا بعد مسيرة حافلة بدأت في عام 1951 وانتهت داخل الملاعب الخضراء في عام 2006.

ولعب ماريو زجالو لفريقين فقط، في البرازيل وهما فلامنجو وبوتافوجو، وذلك كجناح أيسر ومهاجم ثان وإنجازاته تتحدث عنه بالفعل مع السامبا.

فاز الأسطورة السابقة ببطولتي كأس العالم 1958 و1962 كلاعب ونسخة 1970 كمدرب ونسخة 1994 كمنسق عام لمنتخب البرازيل.

اقرأ أيضًا.. إقالة مدرب منتخب البرازيل من منصبه

بجانب فوزه ببطولة كوبا أمريكا 1997 بالإضافة إلى كأس العالم للقارات في نفس العام.

وسبق للمدرب الأسبق أن خاض 3 تجارب عربية أولًا مع منتخب الكويت وتوج معه ببطولة كأس الخليج في عام 1976.

ثم انتقل إلى تدريب نادي الهلال السعودي الذي فاز معه ببطولة الدوري في موسم 1978/1979، وكانت له تجربة مع منتخب الإمارات في عام 1989.

Leeds United are believed to be interested in making a move for Villarreal attacker Boulaye Dia during the summer transfer window.

Do Leeds need summer signings?

The Whites have had a tough time of things in the Premier League for a second consecutive season, with results and performances both not good enough. They stayed up on the final day last year, and given their current 16th-place position, it could go to the wire again this time around.

Too often, there has simply been a lack of quality on show, as well as depth, so it is essential that key signings are made at the end of the season. Staying up is clearly key to being able to attract top-level players to Elland Road, further highlighting the importance of these next few weeks.

Various areas of the pitch could do with an injection of life in the next few months, and it looks as though Leeds could be looking at the attacking third for potential new signing, following a new transfer report that has emerged.

Could midfielder seal Leeds move?

According to La Citta di Salerno [via Sport Witness], the Whites are battling with fellow Premier League club Everton to secure the signing of Dia this summer. It is described as a "blitz" by the pair, as well as AC Milan, as current loan club Salernitana also look to sign him permanently from Villarreal.

Leeds have been following the 26-year-old "for months now", suggesting he is a serious long-term target as we approach the summer window.

Dia could be a great signing by the Whites if they manage to strike a deal, having scored 11 goals and registered six assists in Serie A so far this season. The £20,000-a-week Senegal international has an admirer in legendary compatriot Sadio Mane, too, who has spoken glowingly of him in the past, which says a lot about his ability.

He could add the attacking spark that is badly needed at Leeds this summer – Rodrigo (11) is the only player to have scored more than four goals in the league – coming in as a player right in and around the peak of his powers, and likely remaining that way for the next four or five years.

Dia's international record of six goals in 25 caps is also a solid return, with one of those strikes coming against hosts Qatar at the last year's 2022 World Cup.

تحدث ناتشو فيرنانديز قائد ريال مدريد عن زميله أنطونيو روديجر واللعب بجواره في الدفاع، كما أشاد بأردا جولر، مؤكدًا أنه سيكون لاعبًا مؤثرًا في المستقبل.

ويلتقي ريال مدريد مع برشلونة غدًا الأحد في نهائي كأس السوبر الإسباني بالمملكة العربية السعودية على ملعب “الأول بارك”، وتحدث ناتشو في مؤتمر صحفي خاص بالمباراة.

عن اللعب بجوار أنطونيو روديجر في الدفاع، أكد ناتشو: “لا يحعلنا نرتاح (ضاحكًا)، إنه لاعب مميز، مجنون بعض الشيء كما نقول”.

وأضاف: “إنه منخرط دائمًا في اللعبة ويمر بموسم جيد جدًا، أخبرته أنه لا يجعلنا نشعر بالراحة في كل مرة نسجل فيها هدفًا، يحاول ضرب رفاقه (مازحًا)”.

اقرأ أيضًا | موقف جواو كانسيلو من المشاركة في مباراة برشلونة وريال مدريد بـ نهائي السوبر

 وأشاد ناتشو بزميله أردا جولر: “إنه لاعب يتمتع بجودة كبيرة وإذا اكتسب الثقة من هنا فيمكن أن يصبح لاعبًا مهمًا للغاية بالنسبة لنا الآن وفي المستقبل”.

وأشار إلى تأثير كريستيانو رونالدو على الدوري السعودي: “ماذا يمكنني أن أخبركم عنه كلاعب، إنه الأفضل بالنسبة لي، كزميل في الفريق، إنه أمر لا يصدق… وكان تأثيره هنا إلى أقصى حد”.

وأتم: “لقد اجتذب العديد من اللاعبين للمجيء إلى هنا، إنه بلد ينمو كثيرًا في مجال كرة القدم، إذا قرر لاعبو كرة القدم المجيء إلى هنا فهذا لسبب ما”.

Aston Villa are in pole position to bring Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu to the Premier League, according to reports.

What's the latest on Kokcu to Aston Villa?

The Turkish international is an academy graduate of the Eredivisie side having worked his way up through the youth ranks to become a regular feature of Arne Slot’s first-team, making 171 senior appearances to date, not to mention that he’s also the club captain.

The Rotterdam-based skipper’s contract isn’t set to expire for another two years, but being his outfit’s overall best-performing player with a match rating of 7.36, his performances have attracted the attention of Unai Emery.

De Telegraaf report that the Midlands outfit, alongside top-flight rivals Newcastle United and Crystal Palace, have all sent scouts to watch the 22-year-old in action as they weigh up whether to make an official approach, and it sounds like the former are well-placed to win the battle.

According to The Mirror, Aston Villa are “among the favourites” and “leading” the race to sign Kokcu ahead of the 2023/24 season. The Feyenoord talisman is “being chased” by six clubs in the Premier League and he’s also gaining interest from unnamed teams in Portugal, Italy and Spain, but an offer is under “strong consideration” by Emery.

The Netherlands-born talent’s desire to participate in European football is “high on his list of priorities”, and it’s stated that Villa’s new-found form under the Spanish manager is “catching his eye”. Feyenoord “want to keep” their star player, but they know that any kind of bid in the region of £40m will “force their hand” into sanctioning his sale this summer.

Would Kokcu be a good signing for Aston Villa?

Kokcu has been dubbed a true “leader” of Feyenoord by talent scout Jacek Kulig, and with the dangerous threat that he provides in the final third, the central midfielder would be a fantastic acquisition for Emery at Villa Park.

The Haarlem native, who has the ability to play with both feet, has clocked up 17 goal contributions (12 goals and five assists) in 42 appearances across all competitions so far this season, but even if he’s not always on the scoresheet, he’s constantly looking to produce moments of magic.

As per FBRef, Kokcu has recorded 176 shot-creating actions and 134 crosses since the start of the current term which is higher than any of his fellow teammates, so for a player who could add this consistent danger to the boss’ side, he’d be a quality signing for Villa.

Alastair Cook has backed Chris Woakes and Nick Compton to deliver in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Durham

George Dobell at Chester-le-Street26-May-2016Alastair Cook has backed Chris Woakes and Nick Compton to deliver in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Durham, but admitted that both players need a performance to retain their places beyond the series.Woakes comes into the team in place of the injured local hero Ben Stokes. But while Cook has confirmed that Woakes is likely, fitness permitting, to play in both the remaining Tests of the series, he also admitted that he had yet to settle in Test cricket.Woakes’ current Test record – he has taken eight wickets in six Tests at an average of 63.75 and he averages 21.50 with the bat – is modest. But, over the last two rounds of Championship matches, Woakes has taken career-best bowling figures of 9 for 36 against Durham and scored the ninth first-class century of his career against Nottinghamshire. Cook hopes, therefore, that he enters this Test with confidence soaring and insisted that he was highly rated by his colleagues.”He is another one of those guys we have not seen the best of in international cricket,” Cook said. “There is no doubt in my mind that facing him in the nets, seeing him bowl for Warwickshire or knowing his character that he has a lot going for him. He is really respected.”He just needs that performance to make him feel settled in the side and help him feel he belongs in international cricket. I have no doubt about that. I am really excited about him playing and he has the next couple of games with Ben out. He can make future selection really hard.”Cook admitted there had been a temptation to select Jake Ball, the in-form Nottinghamshire seamer who has taken 21 Championship wickets at a cost of 22.28 this season. But England enjoy the depth that fielding an extra allrounder gives them and feel that Woakes is a closer like-for-like replacement for Stokes.”We enjoy playing with this balance of the side,” Cook said. “We know Ben balances the side really well, but he could get injured [again] and obviously we need the competition in that all-rounder place.”Ben is going to be a big loss for us. But injuries are part and parcel of a side and we need to know we can play without him. Chris has that opportunity to fill the all-rounder role and Moeen Ali and Jonny Bairstow go up a spot in the batting, so it gives them more of an opportunity.”While Cook said Stokes’ operation had “gone well” he also cautioned against rushing him back into action and suggested it was too early to say whether he would be fit for the start of the Test series against Pakistan.Compton, meanwhile, has averaged 27.22 in the five Tests he has played since coming back into the side in South Africa. In that time, he has scored one half-century from nine innings with most recent six innings bringing 15, 26, 0, 19, 6 and 0. He admitted on Wednesday that he was playing for his international future.Cook agreed with that view, but offered encouragement over his ability to perform under pressure.”It’s quite refreshing he has come out and said it in one way,” Cook said. “You are always under pressure playing for England because of the competition for places. People want to take his place. That is the nature of the beast.”We know he is a good player,” he added. “There’s no doubt about that, you see his record in first-class cricket over the past five years, he is right up there in the run-scorer’s chart. He made an important 80-odd in South Africa in tough conditions, he battled hard and set up that win, and he scored two hundreds already so he can play at this level.”He knows, like all of us, he is a score away and he will need a score. But this is a good place to do that.”Cook also said that the team management had discussed batting Moeen at No. 6 in the hope of coaxing more out of his batting. In the end, though, they decided to keep Bairstow one place ahead of him, with both moving up one position.”We did discuss leaving Jonny at seven,” Cook said. “I just thought that was a bit complicated; a bit funky.”I imagine it is hard for Mo, a guy who has batted at the top of the order ,to bat lower down and I don’t think we have seen the best of Mo’s batting. It’s an area where we can unlock a bit more. He has played some brilliant innings for us, those partnerships with Stuart Broad against Australia were devastating against high-quality bowling. He is a brilliant cricketer and I think he will get better and better.”